Thematic Reading List: Celebrating Christmas Traditions

Traditions, some passed down through many generations, are cherished around the Christmas season. Enjoy this collection of 12 titles that provide a glimpse into Christmas traditions with some providing a unique twist.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

	Advent Elf By: Paivi Stalder Illustrated by: Barbara Korthues On the first night of Advent, Arty, an elf in training, jumps out of the Advent wreath demanding that Paul get him home.
	Christmas Cookies: bite-size holiday lessons By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Jane Dyer Vocabulary words and holiday lessons are learned by using Christmas cookies as the theme of the book.
	A Christmas Story By: Brian Wildsmith Rebecca, a young girl living in Nazareth, accompanies a small donkey who is searching for his mother to a stable in Bethlehem where they both witness a special event.
	The Christmas Wreath By: James Hoffman A parable about Santa’s elves that involves a hungry polar bear, the water world below the ice, and the miraculous transformation of a ragged, unfinished wreath.
	Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein By: Amanda Peet and Andrea Troyer Illustrated by: Christine Davenier A Jewish girl decides that she wants to celebrate Christmas, so she writes a letter to Santa.
	The First Christmas Stocking By: Elizabeth Winthrop Illustrated by: Bagram Ibatoulline Grieving for her dead mother, a poor girl finds all her dreams fulfilled when, on Christmas Eve, she hangs above her hearth a stocking she has knitted.
	Jingle Bells: how the holiday classic came to be By: John Harris Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson The story of how, in Savannah, Georgia, in 1857 James Lord Pierpont sat down to write a song for his congregation’s Thanksgiving program and, homesick for the cold New England weather he remembered, came up with an enduring classic.
	Joy to the World!: Christmas stories from around the globe By: Saviour Pirotta Illustrated by: Sheila Moxley A collection of five folktales related to Christmas. Includes: The Brave Little Camel (Syria), Baby in the Bread (Malta), The Gourd of Plenty (Ghana), Flowers for Jesus (Mexico), and Babushka (Russia).
	The Legend of the Poinsettia By: Tomie dePaola When Lucida is unable to finish her gift for the Baby Jesus in time for the Christmas procession, a miracle enables her to offer the beautiful flower we now call the poinsettia.
	The Nutcracker Comes to America: how three ballet-loving brothers created a holiday tradition By: Chris Barton Illustrated by: Cathy Gendron The story of the Christensen brothers, pioneers of ballet’s early days in America, and how The Nutcracker Ballet became a holiday tradition in America.
	O Christmas Tree: its history and holiday traditions By: Jacqueline Farmer Illustrated by: Joanne Friar A glimpse of the history of Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, and the challenges facing tree farmers.
	A Piñata in a Pine Tree: a Latino Twelve Days of Christmas By: Pat Mora Illustrated by: Magaly Morales In this adaptation of the folk song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” friends exchange such gifts as a piñata and “cuatro luminarias.” Includes pronunciation and glossary of Spanish words. Also includes a description of Christmas foods and other holiday traditions from different Latin American countries.